Outstanding filly She’s Extreme became the equal second-most expensive horse ever sold at an Inglis Chairman’s Sale when realising $3.4m to the bid of Coolmore at Riverside this evening.
The Newgate Consignment-offered mare was one of nine to realise $1m or more tonight as the Riverside auditorium was witness to some gladiatorial bidding duels right up until the very last lot.
On an electric night of Chairman’s action:
*The sale averaged a Southern Hemisphere mares sale record of $622,946, eclipsing last year’s record by 12%
*She’s Extreme topped the sale at $3.4m, just ahead of the last lot of the night Tutta La Vita, which sold to American John Stewart of Resolute Racing for $3.2m
*Coolmore ended the night as leading buyer, taking home three mares She’s Extreme, C’est Magique ($1.7m) and Autumn Ballet ($1.6m) for a total spend of $6.7m
*Newgate Consignment was again leading vendor, selling 16 of their offerings for an aggregate of $11,795,000
*Nine mares realised seven figures – She’s Extreme ($3.4m), Tutta La Vita ($3.2m), Kimochi ($2.2m), C’est Magique ($1.7m), Pennyweka ($1.6m), Autumn Ballet ($1.6m), Pinocchio ($1.15m), Startantes ($1.15m) and Banana Queen ($1m).
She’s Extreme had long been billed as the potential sale topper tonight but the final price shocked even the mare’s connections.
“That was an extraordinary result for a beautiful and extraordinary animal,’’ part owner Rob Crabtree said.
“We’re very happy. It’s a great night that Inglis has put on for the industry and it’s great to see a horse sold that way and make her money. It rarely works out anything like this.
“She was definitely worth $3m, no question about that but do you always get what they’re worth? You never know. Inglis has done a really good job.’’
Coolmore’s Tom Moore said She’s Extreme would likely be served by either Wootton Bassett or Home Affairs.
“She’s Extreme is a very rare offering in that it’s not often a filly can win a Group 1 at two and train on and win an Oaks, it puts herself in very rare company,’’ Moore said.
“She’s by a great stallion in Extreme Choice, she had everything that we look for in these elite mares and the type of mares that we come to the Chairman’s Sale to buy.
“If you look back over the past few years and the mares that we’ve identified here at this sale, we’ve had a huge amount of luck with them obviously highlighted by Samaready who was carrying Shinzo at the time…and Booker, an elite, fast Group 1-winning mare with a pedigree and her first two foals have netted $5.5 million for us.’’
Tonight’s second-top lot was the Chris Waller Racing-trained-and-offered Tutta La Vita, which sold to American John Stewart of Resolute Racing for $3.2m.
Stewart – who first ventured into the Australian bloodstock market at last month’s Easter Yearling Sale when buying six yearlings for a spend of $5.44m – confirmed Waller would continue to train Tutta La Vita and that she would be aimed at next month’s G1 Queensland Oaks.
“It’s exciting, it’s something we were looking at and we think it’s a good partnership with Chris [Waller] who we met when we were in Australia for the Golden Slipper so knowing he’s training the horse and how well he knows the horse was one of the reasons we decided to buy her,’’ Stewart said.
“Just like we’re doing here in America, I feel like I’ve got a long way to catch up with everybody else, I’m very competitive, I mean I had one horse in September and now I have over 100 in America and a race mare like Tutta La Vita with her pedigree and those accomplishments fits right into our program.
“Once I set my sights on a horse, I know my limit was $9m for the Winx filly but I don’t know if I was going to go that high for this mare but Tom [Magnier] from Coolmore texted me after, I didn’t know I was bidding against them, I have a lot of respect for them so it made me feel better knowing they were on her too.’’
Tutta La Vita’s owner Kevin Payne was stunned by the result.
“I can’t put it into words, it’s unbelievable, it’s an extraordinary result, so far beyond my comprehension of what I thought might happen,’’ Payne said.
“If you put Arrowfield, Chris Waller and Inglis together, you’ve got an outstanding opportunity to get a result like this. Arrowfield are amazing breeders, Chris is an amazing trainer and Inglis are amazing at what they do and how they market these horses and ultimately get the results for you.’’
Tonight’s third-top lot was Kimochi, offered by Twin Hills Stud on behalf of her owner Leo To and bought by Ilsay Vale for $2.2m.
Mr To was unable to be at Riverside for the auction but watched from afar with high anticipation.
“I’m a bit emotional, she’s the best filly I’ve ever had and she’s taken me on an amazing journey and created lifetime memories,’’ To said.
“It’s hard to see her go but I’m so thankful for what she’s done for me.
“I watched the Sale Day Live broadcast in my car, she’s just the most beautiful filly and deserved a price like that. She’s the best horse of my life and I’m very happy with the price, she deserved it and will be a great filly for her new owner now.’’
Million Dollar Mares
She’s Extreme (Extrme Choice) $3.4million
Tutta La Vita (The Autumn Sun ) $3.2million
Kimochi (Brave Smash (Jpn) $2.2million
C’Est Magique (Zoustar) $1.7million
Pennyweka (NZ) (Satono Aladdin (Jpn) $1.6million
Autumn Ballet (The Autumn Sun) $1.6million
Pinocchio (Encosta de Lago) $1.15million in foal to I Am Invincible
Startantes (Star Turn) $1.15million
Banana Queen (So You Think) $1million
Inglis Bloodstock CEO Sebastian Hutch felt the night was very much a reflection of how the bloodstock market has been through the year in Australia.
“There were some extraordinary results here tonight, some of the best fillies and mares to be offered all year were here at Riverside and achieved some stunning results which was fantastic to be a part of,’’ Hutch said.
“To have nine lots sell for $1m or more was really cool and thoroughly deserving for those who supported the sale with quality stock.
“The atmosphere in the auditorium was captivating, everybody was dressed up and in the mood for fun, it’s such a unique evening and a special occasion which so many people enjoy.
“To an extent, the sale has become a victim of its own success in that marrying the expectations of vendors and buyers together was a challenge on certain lots, but all things considered, we are very pleased with the sale and grateful for the continued support of our vendors.”
To enquire about a passed in lot from tonight’s sale, contact Harry Bailey on 0420 997 417
The Inglis Breeding Stock Sales Series continues tomorrow at Riverside with the Australian Broodmare Sale from 11am, for which 219 mares have been catalogued, including 182 pregnant mares in foal to 58 different stallions.
To view the Australia Broodmare Sale catalogue, CLICK HERE.
